Club owners have hit back at comments made by Chuka Umunna, the Labour MP, who
branded London clubs as full of "trash and C-list wannabes",
saying he needs to get out more.

Mr Umunna, tipped as a potential future leader, has admitted posting the comments on ASmallWorld, which is known as the "MySpace for Millionaires", under a pseudonym.

Emily Birks, at Penthouse Club in Leicester Square, the west end of London, said: "He obviously hasn't been to any clubs around here recently, it's really cleaned up now and I don't think our clientele would be happy to be described like that.

"It's just such a ill-judged thing for him to say in his role, he is there to promote business and London clubs bring in so much money from tourists as well as locals."

Alissia Ricci, 34, a business student from Knightsbridge, who regularly goes to clubs in the area, said: “I think he is wrong. The West End is amazing. I love the restaurants, the bars, the nightclubs. He should go out more and see a few more places.”

Andrea Juganaru, 24, also a business student, from Lancaster Gate, said: “The West End is a very good place to go out. I like everything about it — the clubs, the people and the music. The MP should stick to politics.”

The shadow business secretary apologised today, saying his comments was "inappropriate".

However, one Tory MP called for his resignation for "trashing" Britain's capital city, while others criticised him for trying to hide his love of a "glitzy wealthy lifestyle".

According to The Daily Mail, the shadow Business Secretary registered under his middle name, Harrison. In comments on the site from 2006, he said: "Is it just me or is there a serious lack of cool places to go in central London at the weekends.

"Most of the West End haunts seem to be full of trash and C-list wannabes, while other places that should know better opt for the cheesy vibe."

The millionaire former lawyer then called for recommendations for "a trash-free, decent night".

In 2008, he then asked for tips on "what's hot right now" in Miami as he was heading to the US for a ten-day trip.

In public, the MP for Streatham has been keen to stress his humble background growing up in south London.

A spokesman for Mr Umunna apologised for any offence caused and pointed out that he has not posted on the website since becoming an MP.

"Though light-hearted in tone and context, and made long before he became an MP, Chuka accepts the choice of words used were not appropriate and apologises if any offence may have been caused."

However, Priti Patel, Tory MP for Witham, said Mr Umunna will "go down in history as the most anti-business shadow business secretary this country has known.

“What kind of politician who is meant to stand up for British business trashes the biggest financial hub in Europe.

“If he hates London so much perhaps he should think about resigning as an MP."

Nigel Adams, another Conservative MP, said it looks like Mr Umuna "has more faces than Armani suits."

Nadhim Zahawi, Tory MP for Stratford on Avon, said the shadow business secretary is "like many Labour MPs before him" who "love the glitzy wealthy lifestyle, but only in secret".

"If you've worked for it and earned it why would you need to hide it? Or is it because it doesn't go down well with his anti-enterprise lefty Leader?" he said.